Chapter 1077: Unbroken Past Forty-Six

Ksitigarbha Vidyaraja completely merged with his Dharma form. The golden Dharma form of the Vidyaraja was entirely golden, and various golden Dharma artifacts appeared around it. As the fierce ape charged, the Dharma form extended a hand and grasped a massive vajra scepter.

"Boom!"

The vajra scepter was unavoidable. The fierce ape collided with the Buddhist artifact, but it was the massive Vidyaraja Dharma form, holding the scepter, that was forced backward.

Amid endless crashing sounds and impacts, the clash of magical powers stirred up gales and torrential rain. This was a battle between two supreme cultivators, causing the sky to tremble and the earth to quake.

All living things in the surrounding mountains and wilds were terrified. Distant cities, villages, and other settlements were ravaged by the storm. People were utterly horrified, looking towards the direction where golden light and darkness intertwined.

Deities and cultivators from all sides revealed themselves, wielding their divine powers. Some observed from afar, while others protected certain areas. Without exception, their hearts were filled with astonishment and confusion.

Hu Yun had reached his limit, but at this moment, he still managed to move a few steps, reaching Sun Yiqiu's side. This ordinary man, who once harbored immense fear of anything unusual, now watched the Buddhist Vidyaraja battle the peerless fierce demon without fear in his eyes, simply staring intently at the sky.

Hu Yun could no longer control Sun Yiqiu, and fearing he might do something foolish, he forced himself to speak.

"Sun Yiqiu, I can barely hold on. Help me get out of here to find reinforcements. Master Ksitigarbha cannot stop him..."

Hearing Hu Yun's words, Sun Yiqiu seemed to awaken from a dream. He looked beside him and saw the miserable state of the immortal. It was as if he only now fully recovered his senses, recognizing the situation and himself. He quickly stepped forward to carefully support Hu Yun.

'If even an immortal is in such a state, what can I do?'

As if understanding Sun Yiqiu's thoughts, Hu Yun turned his head to look at him.

"As long as you can escape the demon's clutches, it will cause him immense distress."

Given their current condition, Hu Yun and Sun Yiqiu couldn't escape far. Moreover, even during the battle, Mihuang would likely still keep an eye on Sun Yiqiu. Hu Yun was merely using this to remind Sun Yiqiu that without the protection of Buddhist light, they would have long been crushed by the impact of the battle.

As the two interacted, the battle between the Buddha and the demon grew even fiercer.

Golden wheels, precious pearls, begging bowls, treasure swords, heavenly staffs... numerous Buddhist artifacts appeared. Some were held in the Vidyaraja's hands, while others circled the Vidyaraja, striking out actively, engaging the fierce ape.

"Hahahahaha!"

Mihuang burst into maniacal laughter as he charged towards the Vidyaraja's Dharma form and the many artifacts, without any weapons, fighting solely with his demonic body.

"Thump... clang... boom..."

Golden wheels shattered, treasure swords broke, and the Buddhist light seemed to waver precariously under the fierce demonic flames.

Although Mihuang had only refined a portion of Sun Yiqiu's vital essence and spirit, he had already peered through layers of mist to glimpse a sliver of heavenly destiny. That transcendent power stirred all his desires; it was a vast opportunity he had to seize at all costs, an ultimate craving that surpassed even the Dao for him.

Above Mihuang's seemingly tiny demonic body, the sky's demonic light, combined with his demonic aura, formed a colossal celestial Dharma form: a terrifying giant ape face. Its eyes shone like the sun and moon, and its mouth opened and closed, uttering arrogant words that shook heaven and earth.

"This Saint has united the Five Elements and merged Yin and Yang, already invincible and lawless. How dare a mere Vidyaraja like you contend with me?"

This kind of heaven-and-earth-spanning divine ability shocked all the deities and cultivators who witnessed it beyond measure. Such terrifying might required immense courage just to approach.

In the nearest human city, the City God was absent. Only the Earth God stood on the city wall, looking into the distance, feeling insignificant despite the surging magical power.

"Calamity, oh calamity! Such a ferocious creature has appeared, and something major has happened again in the underworld. This must be a prelude to an overwhelming catastrophe!"

Yet, at some unknown moment, another person appeared beside the Earth God. This person's clothes seemed somewhat neat, but upon closer inspection, they were full of patches and holes. His hair was coiled on one side and loose on the other. He grabbed a wine gourd, took a swig, and then exhaled a breath of alcohol.

"This demon is truly formidable. Normally, what you, Earth God, say would be quite reasonable."

The Earth God turned around in surprise to look at the person beside him. Although there was no special aura, such a person could definitely not be mortal.

"May I ask who you are, esteemed one?"

"Insignificant, insignificant. I shall go and lend Ksitigarbha Vidyaraja a hand first, otherwise, he will surely scold me when he returns. Farewell."

A streak of light shot forth, heading directly for the battleground, which resembled a rift between heaven and earth. Before the light was even fully visible, a shadow had already appeared in the sky, growing larger and more exaggerated...

"The Flying Peak."

A deep, powerful hum, like a low song, filled the air. A massive peak, not merely a mountain range, was suspended in the sky and rapidly descending.

As the mountain fell, the Vidyaraja retreated. The mountain's shadow covered the sky, pressing down upon the fierce demon.

The battle was now developing in an inconceivable direction, and more and more beings were paying attention to the scene.

Finally, the Heavenly Realm also noticed what was happening.

The patrolling Heavenly God on duty hurriedly reported back. At the Heavenly Mother's Dharma Assembly in the Heavenly Realm, a Heavenly Guard rushed into the area where many great Heavenly Gods resided. This guard, without even waiting for full clearance, rushed into the celestial pavilion with the messenger maidens and other guards.

"Report! A great power is battling in the lower realm, and has shattered the boundary between Yin and Yang. A Vidyaraja Dharma form has appeared, seemingly Ksitigarbha Vidyaraja!"

The seats of the various Heavenly Realm magnates were quite close together. While they could, of course, also occupy separate areas in other pavilions or spatial domains, a large portion of them were still gathered in this floating pavilion.

Upon hearing the report, the floating pavilion instantly fell silent.

A Heavenly God quickly asked,

"Who is battling Ksitigarbha Vidyaraja?"

"We truly do not know, but it appears to be a ferocious demon. We are unsure if it escaped from the underworld. Its magical power is so strong that it is suppressing the Vidyaraja's Dharma form."

This news quickly reached many high-ranking beings. Although the Dharma Assembly continued, many Heavenly Gods and high cultivators in the floating pavilions began to divine the situation in the lower realm. Some even left the assembly to fly towards the Heavenly Gate, hoping to investigate for themselves.

In the area where the highest-ranking Heavenly Gods and great powers were, several floating pavilions and altars had converged. The Heavenly Realm's supreme treasure, the Sky-Gazing Mirror, was jointly activated by several Heavenly Gods, suspended in the air. A circular celestial screen reflected within it, displaying the battle in the lower realm.

Meanwhile, in the area of the former Ghost City, a great mountain descended from the sky. The Vidyaraja was able to calmly retreat, but Mihuang, attempting to evade, found himself bound by an endless, crushing pressure, forcing him down to the ground. The earth felt like steel and the air like solid ice, as if the mountain's descent was an inevitable strike.

"Boom!"

The mountain landed, its terrifying might not only shaking the earth but seemingly unsettling the very firmament.

Subsequently, a foot landed on the mountain's peak; it belonged to the old beggar from before.

"Rumble, rumble, rumble..."

The mountain continued to shake. The old beggar, who had been about to take a drink, also looked serious. The treasured mountain trembled incessantly, as if billions of pounds of immense force were lifting it from below.

"Villain, this mountain was forged from fragments of Mount Wuliang! Let's see if it can crush you to death!"

The Vidyaraja Dharma form leaped to the mountain's peak and directly sat cross-legged on the ridge.

"Villain, let this old monk convert you!"

The trembling of the mountain subsided, but the old beggar and Ksitigarbha Vidyaraja wore exceptionally serious expressions.

The next moment, a colossal force surged upwards from below. Amidst the mountain's roar, a terrifying crack rapidly spread from its bottom center. Streaks of light poured out from the fissure, exquisitely beautiful yet extremely dangerous.

"Boom!"

"You two are not worthy!"

Amidst the fierce demon's roar, the colossal mountain was pierced through and flung aside, one half flying east, the other west. The old beggar and Ksitigarbha Vidyaraja on top were also flung into the sky. Streaks of light, like iridescent clouds, darted about, shattering rocks and severing rivers, rending bones and slicing flesh, leaving all things in their wake utterly still and lifeless.

Even Hu Yun and Sun Yiqiu were affected. Despite being protected by Buddhist light, they were in extreme danger. They barely avoided peril by diving behind a rock wall. However, before they could even catch their breath, a colossal hand, formed of streaking light, reached out, as if to crush both Hu Yun and Sun Yiqiu.

The terrifying power of this scene surpassed the deductions of almost everyone who witnessed it. Even the gods of the Heavenly Realm were on tenterhooks. At this moment, it was too late to intervene, and they could only watch intently.

Hu Yun clenched his fists, wanting to fight desperately but having little strength. Sun Yiqiu also gritted his teeth, watching the terrifying large hand approach.

At that moment, however, the sky seemed to brighten slightly, and the earth seemed to darken. Imperceptibly, the surroundings in people's eyes appeared somewhat unreal, as if all tangible matter, from inanimate objects to living beings, were merely flows of qi in various forms.

This illusory state captivated everyone's minds, causing a brief moment of disorientation before they quickly returned to normal. However, the giant hand missed Hu Yun and Sun Yiqiu, and was subsequently shattered by the re-engaged old beggar and Ksitigarbha Vidyaraja.

The battle resumed, its radiance rivaling the sun and moon. Yet, Hu Yun and Sun Yiqiu felt an extraordinary sense of calm. After that brief moment of daze, an additional person appeared beside them.

Seeing this person, Hu Yun instantly became agitated. He, who had been so resolute moments before, now felt a surge of immense grievance.

"Sir, you've finally arrived!"

"You little fox, you're quite a mess, but you've done exceptionally well. That sword strike truly surpassed your master."

Ji Yuan walked over, extended a hand, and wiped away the tears from Hu Yun's eyes. It was only then that Hu Yun belatedly realized he was crying, that he could actually shed tears.

Ji Yuan looked at Sun Yiqiu to one side, then turned his gaze towards the murky Yellow Springs in the dim distance. There, a deity in imperial robes stood by the water's edge, already bowing in profound respect, bending at the waist as if broken. The shock in his heart was no less than that felt by those at the battleground.

"Xin Wuyai greets Sir Ji!"

Ji Yuan paid no heed to the Underworld Emperor. He walked directly towards the Yellow Springs, straight into the Karmic Fire, showing no intention of stopping. The Underworld Emperor hastily warned,

"Sir Ji, this is Karmic Fire! You must not touch it!"

But Ji Yuan's movements remained unchanged. His thoughts drifted afar as he gazed at the Karmic Fire, which, despite its apparent danger, he felt barely any warmth from.

'If I am not tolerated, what do the karmic debts of the heavens, earth, and three realms have to do with me? With this broken body still existing in the world, and my remaining life spent without shame towards heaven, earth, and all beings, can you possibly burn me?'

A clean arm, draped in his sleeve, reached directly into the karmic fire. The raging flames could not taint Ji Yuan in the slightest. After a few breaths, Ji Yuan seemed to perceive something and pulled out a cluster of flames. As the karmic fire burned, it coalesced into a human form, which Ji Yuan then drew out from the intense blaze.

Ji Yuan gently flicked his arm, as if shaking water droplets from an umbrella. All flames vanished from the burning human figure, leaving behind a charred body lying on the ground.

"Hmm, there's still time."

A wisp of profound yellow aura rose from Ji Yuan's artistic conception, not crossing the golden bridge, but ascending into the myriad stars, only to reappear as a stream of clear qi entering Ji Yuan's mouth.

"Whoosh..."

The clear qi blew forth. As it swept over the charred body, a layer of black ash gradually peeled off. As the ash continued to fall away, Hu Yun and Sun Yiqiu grew excited. Where the ashes dispersed, a naked woman lay curled up on the ground.